GB2479914A - Device for drawing and aligning products on a shelf - Google Patents

Abstract

A display arrangement for aligning and drawing items, e.g, bottles, across a support surface, e.g. a supermarket shelf, comprises: a container 4 having two opposing side walls 10 and an end wall portion 12; and a guiding element, e.g. shelf riser 6, for securing to the support surface, the guiding element having a pair of slots 8 which receive the sidewalls 10 of the container thereby allowing the container to be drawn across the support causing the end wall portion to draw one or more display items towards the guide element. Preferably the container has an open top and open bottom, and may include indicia, counting markings, to indicate the number of products contained. The display arrangement enables products from the displayed on a shelf more effectively and clearly.

Description

Display Assembly The present invention relates to a display arrangement which enables objects such as stock in a supermarket to be displayed effectively and clearly.

The displaying of products on support structures such as shelves in a retail outlet is important as it can have a significant effect on the sale of the product and on the appearance of the retail outlet as a whole. Stock such as bottles are removed from a shelf leaving spaces and periodically supermarkets, for example, face up' which is to pull stock forward to the front of the shelves and this may happen at least twice a day, firstly towards the end of the filling time which is often overnight and secondly once in the afternoon.

Facing up can be difficult with deep shelves, tall fixtures and valuable stock which is vulnerable to being knocked off the shelves. If the stock is not brought to the front of the shelves, it is likely that consumers will not see the product or will, at the belief that the presentation in the retail outlet is poor, lead to a question mark over the quality of the store.

Wine bottles for example are displayed on shelves as individual bottles rather than as whole cases and are not well suited to retail ready packaging where several products are placed onto a shelf in one go in a cardboard tray because wine bottles are heavy and a high value purchase that does not look attractive when displayed in cardboard. Further problems for example with wine bottles tend to be that stock at the back of the shelves splays out and the stock gets mixed up as more stock is pushed on at the front of the shelves. This makes stock counting difficult. Stock counts regularly happen in retail outlets particularly with a high value product meaning that retail outlets often have to spend a lot of time straightening products on the shelves in order to do the stock count.

In order to overcome the above-mentioned problem, various types of equipment have been proposed to help in particular but not exclusively wine bottle merchandising. Systems such as pusher systems have been designed however there are disadvantages as they work well at keeping the bottles at the front of the shelves but take approximately three times as long to fill and can irritate customers who like to browse the wine and often need to put bottles back. In this scenario the gap for putting the bottles back has disappeared.

Furthermore, such arrangements are expensive and have moving parts that are susceptible to failure.

An alternative arrangement is disclosed in CA1046014. In this disclosure, there is an arrangement comprising a number of channels for receiving products defined in a rectangular shaped receptacle. A handle which protrudes through a stop 6 including rail 12 can be pulled by a retail outlet employee which causes a roll 15 to contact a rear object in the series meaning that the objects are drawn forwards and contact the rail 12 meaning that the objects are at the front of a shelf. The roll 15 is self recoiling against a sprung element.

There are disadvantages associated with such an arrangement.

According to the present invention there is an arrangement for aligning and drawing one or more objects across a support, the arrangement comprising a container defining a zone for aligning objects, the container defined between an opposing pair of side walls and an end wall portion, the arrangement further comprising an element for securing to a support, the element having a pair of slots therein, each slot configured for receiving a side wall of the container, the pair of slots being arranged to allow longitudinal movement of the container from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration such that the pair of side walls of the container can be drawn through the slots causing the end wall portion to draw the one or more objects across the support towards the element.

The present invention provides advantages over the prior art and in particular CAl 046014 in that the arrangement according to the present invention is simple and effective and does not require complex mechanical components. Furthermore, the present invention can be easily positioned in suitable location and removed and replaced elsewhere quickly and simply.

The slots are beneficially spaced apart and the spacing substantially corresponds and therefore matches the width of the container. The element is preferably rectangular. The upright portions of the container sit within the slots meaning that the container can be withdrawn and retracted thereby drawing the objects across the support such as the shelf.

In the event, however, that the arrangement is not required, the container can be simply lifted and moved away from the support. The element can be retained in position or again simply can quickly be removed from the support.

The pair of slots beneficially extend from the peripheral edge of the element into the elements. The slot therefore comprises an opening through the width of the element meaning that the edge or width of a side wall of the container can seat into the slot. The pair of slots are beneficially substantially parallel. The element preferably includes a plurality of slots for receiving side walls of one or more containers.

The element is beneficially releasably secured to the support such that the element including the slots projects substantially perpendicular to the support. The means of securing the element to the support is known in the art, and beneficially comprises a clip type arrangement. The element, in use, is beneficially secured to the forward peripheral edgeofasupport.

The container beneficially further comprises a second end or portion opposing the first end wall portion, the second end wall portion seating adjacent the element in the retracted configuration.

The container beneficially has an open top and an open bottom. This enables the objects to be in contact with the support and enables the objects to be easily placed in the container aiding speed of shelf stacking for stock replenishment.

The slots beneficially comprise elongate grooves extending at least partially transversely through the longitudinal length of the element. The element has a longitudinal length, a depth and a width and the grooves extend through the transverse direction of the longitudinal length of the element.

The container beneficially has indicia thereon representative of the number of objects contained by the container. This is beneficial as it allows for immediate stock inventory.

The present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, showing a plurality of containers on a support, wherein two of the containers are in an extended configuration.

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, showing wine bottles on a shelf prior to drawing of each container across the shelf.

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, showing one of the containers being drawn across the shelf thereby drawing the wine bottle across the shelf towards the front of the shelf and therefore the element.

Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein all of the wine bottles on a shelf have been drawn to the front of the shelf.

Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of a container for use in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of a container for use in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the end member of the container is separate from the side members prior to assembly.

Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a container for use in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein a side member and end member are integrally formed and are releasably connected to corresponding side and end members.

Figure 8 is a further schematic perspective view of another alternative exemplary embodiment of a container, wherein the side members and end members are not integrally formed.

Figure 9 is a further schematic perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a container for use in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figures 1-4, there is a support such as a shelf 2 which for clarity has been drawn in isolation however it will be appreciated that a number of shelves 2 may be vertically stacked. The shelves are spaced apart to receive objects which may be, for example, bottles of wine, jars of produce, packets of produce, loaves of bread etc. As represented in the figures the objects are, as an example, wine bottles. A plurality of containers 4 are supported by the shelf 2 and as indicated in Figure 1 two of the containers 4 are shown in a forward configuration which shows the direction of movement of the container. In use the container is drawn from the retracted configuration to the forward configuration which effectively draws the objects located in the container across the shelf 2. The container is then pushed back to the retracted configuration leaving the objects at the front of the shelf. A riser 6 corresponding to the element prevents the objects from falling off the front of the shelf 2. The riser and more specifically the slots 8 therein act to maintain the container 4 in generally the same lateral orientation. However, in one embodiment a secondary riser may be provided at the rearward edge of the shelf in order to ensure that the containers sit in the correct orientation on the shelf. Such a secondary riser is, however, not essential.

The riser 6 is beneficially releasably connectable to the shelf through a variety of known techniques such as, for example, protrusions which extend beyond the lower end of the riser wherein such protrusions are releasably secured in a receiving aperture or channel adjacent the front edge of the shelf 2. Generally, a receiving channel is provided at the forward edge of the shelf in order that the riser can seat therein. The bracket that supports the shelf may prevent the riser from moving beyond the edge of the receiving channel.

The riser 6 comprises a plurality of slots 8 therein for receiving one or more side members of a container 4. The slots extend in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the riser 6 and extend almost through the riser 6. The plurality of slots 8 are spaced apart at regular intervals. As indicated in Figure 1 these intervals may be substantially the same, however, it will be appreciated that for different products different spacing may be provided which corresponds to different container widths. For this reason additional slots may be provided in the riser 6. An advantage of providing irregular additional slots of different spacing is that odd spacing may be allowed between slots meaning, for example, that wine boxes can be accommodated on the shelves, between containers.

Referring in particular to Figures 2-4, the steps of so-called facing' stock are shown which means displaying the stock optimally at the front of a shelf. Referring to Figure 2, bottles 11 have been arranged in containers 4 on a shelf and a number of the bottles have been purchased by customers leaving gaps at the front of the container. Accordingly, some of the bottles of wine are not as accessible to the customer as they are only found adjacent the rear of the shelf Accordingly, some action is required in order to display the remaining bottles more effectively. Traditionally, a store worker would manually pick up the bottles and place towards the front of the shelf. Referring to Figure 3, the present invention is shown in use. One of the containers can be seen to be partially drawn forwards having the associated effect of drawing the bottle of wine across the shelf towards the front edge of the shelf The container 4 is then retracted to its original configuration. Referring to Figure 4, all of the wine bottles have been drawn to the forward edge of the shelf through drawing the containers across the shelf thereby having the effect of drawing the wine bottles to the front of the shelf.

Referring to Figure 5, there is a container according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention which has side members 10 and end members 12. The container does not have a bottom or a top and comprises four walls defined by the side members and end members 10, 12. The thickness of the side members is configured in order that they may be received in the slots 8. Indicia may be provided on one or both of the end members 12 indicating, for example, pricing or details regarding the products within that specific container. Stock counting markings may be provided on the side members so that when the container is drawn forwards to an extended configuration through the slots 8 and the front product sitting within the container stops against the riser 6, the markings on the side member indicate the number of products left within the container. This is beneficial in stock counting. It will be appreciated that markings with different scales thereon may be provided having the benefit that, for example, wine bottles of different diameters may be accurately counted. Therefore, for a small diameter bottle, indicia on a container with spacing for small bottles may be provided. Additionally, a measuring device may be provided for determining whether a bottle is of a certain diameter (e.g. small or large for wine bottles) in order that a container with the correct indicia thereon may be used. Such a measuring device for measuring whether a wine bottle may comprise a small or large diameter which can receive a small diameter bottle but a large diameter bottle will not fit therein. As such, small and large diameter bottles can be identified by a store worker.

The container may be assembled in a variety of ways as represented in Figures 5-9. The first arrangement as represented in Figure 5 is a fixed container where the container is provided in a form ready for use. The container is therefore rigid and may not be folded.

The container may be made of a variety of materials such as polymers or metals.

Even more beneficially, the container is provided in the flat pack format wherein it may be assembled on site. Referring to Figure 6 there is an exemplary embodiment of a container wherein the end member 12 is releasably connectable and securable to the side members 10. Formations provided at the end of the side members 10 are configured to engage with corresponding formations on the end members 12 thereby providing a releasably connectable engagement. A hinge made by reducing the thickness of the container at the joint by providing a groove between side and end members enables folding such that the container can be flat packed. Referring to Figure 7, in one embodiment a side member 10 and end member 12 may be connected in an L' shape configuration and a corresponding L' shaped configuration may be releasably secured thereto. Again, the joint between end and side members can be hinged by reduction in thickness by providing a groove therein enabling folding such that the container can be flat packed and assembled on site. As represented in Figure 8, both end members 12 may be releasably connectable to the side members 10 however as indicated in Figure 8 the engagement formations in one embodiment do not extend the entire depth of the container. An advantage of this is that the engagement formations would not interact awkwardly with the riser 6. In such a configuration, the engagement formations oversail the riser 6.

In one alternative configuration as represented in Figure 9, the side members and end members pivot at the points at which they join one another via a hinge arrangement meaning that they may fold flat for transport. During assembly the container may be assembled by moving one of the side members relative to the opposing side member until an angle of substantially 90° is achieved between the side members and end members respectively. A locking means such as a pin 15 may be provided to secure the container in such an assembled configuration by pushing the pin 15 through corresponding apertures 18a, 18b in the side and end members 10, 12 respectively.

An arrangement according to the present invention is simple, cheap, discreet and would not slow down shelf filling in, for example, a supermarket. The objects such as bottles would be maintained in their correct location and although would not be drawn towards the front of the shelf automatically, would significantly increase the speed at which this may be achieved in, for example, a supermarket environment. This has the significant benefit for both the supermarket and the customer as the customer will be able to clearly identify the product, the product details and the price of the product.

The present invention has been described by way of example only and it will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope of protection afforded by the appended claims.

Claims (10)

1. Claims 1. An arrangement for aligning and drawing one or more objects across a support, the arrangement comprising a container defining a zone for aligning objects, the container defined between an opposing pair of side walls and an end wall portion, the arrangement further comprising an element for securing to a support, the element having a pair of slots therein, each slot configured for receiving a side wall of the container, the pair of slots being arranged to allow longitudinal movement of the container from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration such that the pair of side walls of the container can be drawn through the slots causing the end wall portion to draw the one or more objects across the support towards the element.
2. 2. An arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the pair of slots extend from the peripheral edge of the element into the element.
3. 3. An arrangement according to claim 2 wherein the pair of slots are substantially parallel.
4. 4. An arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein the element includes a plurality of slots for receiving the side walls of one or more containers.
5. 5. An arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein the element is releasably secured to the support such that the element including the slots projects substantially perpendicular to the support.
6. 6. An arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein the container further comprises a second end wall portion opposing the first end wall portion, the second end wall portion seating adjacent the element in the retracted configuration.
7. 7. An arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein the container has an open top and an open bottom.
8. 8. An arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein the slots comprise elongate grooves extending at least partially transversely through the longitudinal length of the element.
9. 9. An arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein the container includes indicia thereon representative of the number of objects contained by the container.
10. 10. An arrangement as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.